Today was not your typical Saturday morning...

This was the 9th anniversary of 9/11.

And 9 years ago the founding members of the Cruisin' for a Cure organzation had a decision to make.

Were they going to hold the show in 2001 just a few weeks after this country's first and only major terrorist attack?

This was a decision faced by many businesses and organizations 9 years ago and many decided to cancel their events.

Yet there were a few standout organizations that wouldn't let the terrorists get the upper hand.

And the 2001 Cruisin' for a Cure event went on as planned. Flags flying and hearts filled with the spirit that makes this country so great.

No matter what they threw at us, we didn't back down.

And on the very same date that terror struck our skies 9 years earlier, over 150 Americans stood ready and willing to do it all over again.

Not letting the past get in the way of doing great work for this country.

Cruisin' has always been about helping others, but it changed in 2001. The show became about strength, about making a statement, about being strong.

On this day, the people you will see in these hundred plus photos are what this country is all about.

Serving. Volunteering. Caring.

Celebrate this album as you think about the heroes of 9/11. Those with us and those we lost.

Cruisin' for a Cure

More than a car show. A reflection of the true American spirit in all of us.

The stuffing party...

The work is to begin at 9:00, but by 7:00 the set is already underway...

Over 1500 bags have to be stuffed with products from our great friends at Meguiar's and other supporters of Cruisin'

Those arriving early set up the EZ Up's, set out tables and boxes, and unload the first of the supplies before the whistle is blown to get started...

Before 9:00, the street will fill with hot rods, muscle cars and trucks - all from different groups, pulling together to form one unit...

And check out this wonderful trailer that Ted and Marla allowed us to use this year!!! Thank you so much!

Off to the side of the house are the outdoor cooks. What you don't see are the hours of work that went on Friday inside the house preparing all of the food for the BBQ lunch...

How cool it is to stand out at the street and watch both teams work separately toward a mutual goal.

Kathy B is always at her post handling work assignments. Just don't move a piece of paper and you will be just fine...

Now take a look at Steve's face here. Something is troubling him...now what could it be???

Oh I get it...Roger telling the story about the rattlesnake...again...and again...now, the funny part I wasn't even there...but I can't see it in his arm gestures!!!

Yep, he is still going...

Hey check this out!!! It is the living quarters in Ted and Marla's trailer!! Now that is spacious!!!

Now, look at Marla on the right side of the picture. I can hear her saying right now "can you believe that Don just said Debbie's kitchen was part of our trailer?"

Uh oh, it looks like Howard just picked up a piece of paper off of Kathy's table...troubling is brewing!!!

Interesting...you notice that Howard (in the red shirt above) is no longer seen in the photo on the left. She took him out for moving her paper!!!

I've heard of soft focus shots to try and make people look younger, but this is going way too far!

Must be about time to eat!!!

Let's get the tables cleaned up...

About time to get the line started!!!

Weren't these guys cooking about 50 pictures ago???

They are still cooking!!!!

Deb - don't get mad at me for this one...

"If that Roger tells that snake story one more time, I'm going to kill him"!!!!

Hey Marla!!! Let's give the one that fell on the ground to that snake guy!!!!

Hey Roger!!! We have a special meal for you over here...

Oh, am I going to get in trouble for this...

"Oh I can't believe you let it out about the meal we gave Roger..."

Heck, we didn't even fill that trailer!!! Let's do 2500 next year!!!

And as quick as it started, it's all over by noon.

As we started out this album, we reflected on where Cruisin' has come and those who have supported our efforts along the way.

9/11 was a shock to our country, and decisions made 9 years are still with us today. But no one on this 9/11/2010 would have ever thought we shouldn't be out there preparing for the wonderful car show that will begin in two short weeks from now.

And that is what makes us so strong as an organization and as a country.

Serving. Volunteering. Caring.

Many thanks to all 150 of you for being there...today and in the future.